GPs are still open for business

Doctors across south
east London are asking patients not to put off contacting their GP surgery
if they need to consult a doctor or nurse during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Fewer patients have
been consulting their doctor or nurse for their usual health issues or new
physical or mental health problems during this pandemic and this is concerning
doctors as there may be people out there who need medical advice and whose
conditions may worsen if they don’t get it.

Contact your surgery if
you feel unwell – please do not ignore your symptoms particularly if you have a
long term condition or your mental health gets worse. It is also important that
parents of babies and young children get in touch with their practice to
arrange for their routine immunisations and that women who are pregnant or new
mothers contact their surgery if they are worried about their own or their baby
or child’s health.

Dr Jonty Heaversedge,
Southwark GP and Clinical Chair of NHS South East London Clinical Commissioning
Group said: “During this Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve all heard the message to
stay at home as much as possible and it’s great that people are doing this. GPs
are still here for you though and it is important that you contact your surgery
for advice or to make an appointment when you need to.

“So, if you need
medical advice about something other than coronavirus don’t put off calling
your surgery online or by telephone and they will advise you on whether
you need to see a doctor or nurse.”

Although the Covid-19
pandemic means that patients are asked to contact their surgery online or by
phone rather than go in person, doctors are still able to see patients via
video conferencing or telephone consultation.

Doctors and nurses can
also still see and examine patients in person if this is necessary. This may or
may not be at your regular practice because, working together, surgeries across
south east London have made arrangements to try and ensure that they assess
people with symptoms of COVID-19 separately from other patients.

It is important to
follow any guidance your practice has in place to keep you safe and continue to
follow the government’s guidance to
prevent the virus spreading. The NHS has also published information about how
access health advice at home.

Stay
safe and get the help you need when you need it.

The South East London CCG is part of the South East London Integrated Care System. Find out more
here

NHS South East London
Clinical Commissioning Group
160 Tooley Street
London SE1 2TZ